Alain Poupart Editor Dolphin Digest

The signing of veteran Dustin Keller as a free agent was the Dolphins’ most significant move at tight end in the offseason, but they’ve also used the draft to try to build up some depth at the position.

The time may have come to try to cash in on those moves.

With Keller sustaining an injury Saturday night against Houston that by all appearances was serious, bigger roles could be on the agenda for one or more of the Dolphins’ three recent draft picks at tight end — third-year veteran Charles Clay, second-year player Michael Egnew and rookie Dion Sims.

“Dustin brought a lot to the table for us,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said after the game Saturday night. “He’s a great player and it’s a tough situation. But at the end of the day we have to have somebody step up and play in his shoes. We have a good tight end room with Egnew, Clay, Dion, and those guys are going to have to step up and fill the void. I think we have the guys in the room to (succeed).” ...

“We have other guys that have caught the ball down the middle,” Philbin said. “We’ve got some big targets. Egnew is a big man. Dion Sims is a big man. Clay has caught the ball down the middle before. We’ll adjust.” ...

Clay is beter suited as a FB. Sims can't get open. Egnew can't block. I say kick the tires on some aging vets that are still out there: Randy McMichael, Todd Heap, Jeremy Shockey, or Kevin Boss.

Sorry Tommy, respect your thoughts, but I will beg to differ on this one.

Clay IMO is very much like Keller, no blocking, but can get open down the seam and when he is on, has good receiving and safety net ability for Tannehill.

Sims from what I saw, DOES get open, but has had trouble catching the ball so far. BIG target too that IMO has some ability to contribute right away, he needs to focus more, but did you see him get down field against Jacksonville, it wasn't a completion but he ran that go route and got behind the defenders. Just cannot drop the ball and Tannehill on a few occasions has hit him right in the numbers.

Egnew, actually his blocking has gotten much better and this guy is athletic and can be seam catcher.

I think Clay gets that first look at replacing Keller as the go to guy with Egnew and Sims in during blocking downs and also to contribute catching.

Keller couldn't block either.

I happen to agree here that there is a big gap between Keller and the rest. FWIW catagory, it seemed RT and Keller were on the same page. I don't get that same feeling between what's left on the roster. I like Clay as a backup. Egnew is a big target but plays small. Sims....he's a man-child. 6-4 260lbs....I'd love for him to step up and take the roll.

BEFORE Keller's inevitable injury.

After not missing a game or a practice in his first four years in the NFL, a pulled groin and high ankle sprain hindered Keller's production in the 2012 regular season,

Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero

TE Donald Lee won't be rejoining Dolphins or reuniting with Joe Philbin. His reps called and team isn't interested at this time.

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There is a reason those guys are still FAs this close to the start of regular season.

I'd rather just get what we can out of Egnew or Clay than to try and get something more out of one of those guys.

Now we’ll head out to Kansas City and take a look at a guy who actually was supposed to be the heir apparent to the great Kansas City tight end, Tony Gonzalez. That’s right, Tony Moeaki.
Moeaki is probably the most interesting guy on the short list of tight ends the Dolphins could, more likely should, look at. The former Iowa, that’s right Iowa, tight end has a ton of traits that Miami is missing at the tight end position. Moeaki is a seam-threat tight end who possesses a big, red-zone type body and has incredible athleticism.
Moeaki is cheap, young and possesses the skills that Miami needs at the position. Sign me up.
Kansas City can afford to part ways with Moeaki after drafting Cincinnati tight end, Travis Kelcie, this past april and signing former Miami Dolphin, Anthony Fasano, during the free agent period. Will they be willing to part ways? Well, if I’m Jeff Ireland, I’d do everything I can to see if I can’t pry him away from KC.

Let’s take a quick trip to Green Bay where receivers and tight ends grow on trees.
I’m not going to sugar-coat it, DJ Williams is a guy Miami could use. The former Arkansas tight end was known as one of college football’s best tight ends. Aaaaand then he went through the scouting process. Oh, he’s too short. Oh, he’s too slow. Oh, he won’t succeed as a tight end. Better make the move to H-back.
Williams is a very good blocking tight end and would do a fine job for Miami. The only issue is, would Green Bay be willing to part ways? A part of me says no. But a part of me says yes. No, it’s not due to Philbin’s ties to the organization. It’s really just because of the depth they have at the position. Williams is expendable.
Realistically this is an scenario that could happen, but it most likely will not. And that may upset you. Sorry.

Moeaki footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc54HkMyYRY

this guy was never used to his full potential in KC.

Moeaki footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc54HkMyYRY

this guy was never used to his full potential in KC.

Wonder if the Bengals would deal Gresham?
Wouldn't mind getting DJ Williams or Quarless from Green Bay either.
Derrick Shelby could be a valuable trade chip. He's looked good all preseason. Teams need ends.

Yeah this Tony Moeaki love is unreal... kid hasn't done anything since his rookie year.

First of all, this is last week's news already. 2nd of all it's not really "love", it was searching for a fix for a team desperate for a legit tight end. We probably have the worst tight end situation in the NFL. Not a good thing for a team that employs the West Coast offense.

First of all, this is last week's news already. 2nd of all it's not really "love", it was searching for a fix for a team desperate for a legit tight end. We probably have the worst tight end situation in the NFL. Not a good thing for a team that employs the West Coast offense.

before injuries he was good. Injuries have obviously taken their toll.
Just watch the video posted above, those were big time plays like a wide receiver, let alone a tight end. Very talented player that cant stay healthy.

before injuries he was good. Injuries have obviously taken their toll.
Just watch the video posted above, those were big time plays like a wide receiver, let alone a tight end. Very talented player that cant stay healthy.